ANALYSIS: Scottish Cup final derby settled by Adams strike

A second half goal from striker Eilidh Adams was enough for Hibs to see off Edinburgh rivals Hearts and win the Scottish Women’s Youth Cup in a tight final.

From the first whistle Hibs looked to take advantage of the large Oriam pitch by playing their wide players in behind the Hearts full-backs.

In central midfielder Amy Hay, Hibs had a player with more than enough quality to pick out the right pass, and she was at the heart of all Hibs good play in the midfield.

Hibs were dealt an early blow when left-winger Tegan Bowie was forced off injured after coming close to opening the scoring from a Hay pass, but her replacement Phoebe Friend was a more than capable deputy.

Hearts looked to break up Hibs play and counter quickly; midfielders Caitlyn Wilson and Holly Aitchison stopped numerous Hibs attacks dead, just as they looked like they might lead to goal scoring opportunities.

But unfortunately for Hearts, lone striker Caitlin Black was left isolated on a number of occasions, and was left to feed on scraps as Hibs centreback partnership of Charlotte McDougall and Robyn McCafferty dealt with anything played their way.

It was a game of few chances. Neither midfield managed to get on top of the other for a sustained period of time, and in the rare instances where a chance looked like it might present itself both teams were guilty of spurning their opportunities.

Hearts goalkeeper Alicia Yates always took up a great starting position, and was quick off her line on numerous occasions to stop Friend, goal scorer Adams or right winger Eve McFadden from latching on to a ball in behind.

In the second half, Hearts replaced Black with midfielder Heather Munro, moving defender Emma McFadyen up front as they began to go more direct in search of that elusive goal.

However, it was Hibs who continued to look the most dangerous. As legs began to get tired more and more space opened up in the channels, which Friend and McFadden came close to exploiting on several occasions.

When the breakthrough did finally come, the ball fell to Adams after some pinball in the box - far from the best goal you’ll ever see but that didn’t bother the Hibs players or their fans.

Hearts brought on Emily Murray for Maisy Hathaway as they hunted a late equaliser but the Hibs backline was rock solid and they comfortably saw out the final minutes to edge a tense affair.